Racing: Fit Molly all ready to hoof it

It took 26.6 seconds for a week of worry to evaporate for Brent Mangos.

That was how long it took for his glamour mare Molly Darling to sprint his last 400m in a private workout at Pukekohe on Monday, the sort of time that confirmed she is ready to make her seasonal debut at Alexandra Park tonight.

Molly Darling returns to the track one of only two horses to have beaten the great Mainland Banner and as a dual group one winner carries a huge weight of expectation in race seven tonight.

Just a week ago Mangos was starting to worry about those expectations.

Not that he has ever doubted Molly Darling's ability - how could he after 11 wins all over Australasia - but he was concerned hoof problems were going to ruin her comeback.

While Molly produced outstanding performances to win her first two workouts this campaign she was easily beaten by stablemate Mr Williams at Cambridge two weeks ago.

"She only went average that day and she was starting to feel her feet, which we have had a few little problems with."

Since then Mangos and his team have spent hours soaking Molly Darling's hooves, drawing out the soreness.

"She has improved a lot and I couldn't be happier with the way she worked on Monday," said Mangos.

"She only worked 2400m in 3:14 but that 26.6 last 400m was about as quick as I have been around Pukekohe."

Like all good horses Molly Darling has far bigger aims in the near future so will go into tonight's 2200m mobile with plenty of room for improvement.

"I am taking her back to Melbourne in May for three mares' races and they are her main aim so we are a way away from having her at her peak.

"But with those three workouts under her belt she is close enough to winning a race like this.

"I have no doubts she is an open class mare in the making so she gets in pretty well here."

Molly Darling follows out a good beginner in Girl Of Your Dreams tonight and should be able to settle handy, after which it is hard to envisage her defeat.

But Mangos admits he would rather not ask her for too much in the first half of the race, an attitude which does open the door to bad luck.

"I wouldn't be scared to move in the middle stages but I don't want to burn her early because it is only her first start back and physically she is very big. But if we get the right sort of run I think she would be too good for most of these."

There are several in-form mares who could test the favourite if she has to work too much, with Jungle Jane, Badabing Badaboom and Waitfornoone all capable mares who would appreciate a hot pace.

While Molly Darling's return is foremost in Mangos's mind he is also looking forward to the start of the Interdominions in Tasmania on Sunday, where he will drive Alta Serena against arch-rival Howard Bromac.

The pair contest a mile heat and with Howard Bromac drawn in front of Alta Serena he will be favoured to beat the mare. But Mangos is not so sure.

"I'll admit I was a bit disappointed with her in the [Auckland] Cup last week but I think she is better when I don't have to use her in the middle stages of a staying race.

"She may actually be better for that run and I think she will be ready to go a big mile. We will be out to get as many points as possible early in the series."

Alta Serena has been a drifter in Interdom markets since her fourth to Mi Muchacho last Friday, with some Australian bookmakers giving as much as $16 about her winning the A$1.5 million ($1.7 million) final on April 2.

"If she is going to have any chance in the final she would have to get some good points this week as she is not in one of the strongest heats."